What Flowers to Plant to Get Birds

Bird gardening is the art of planting flowers and plants that attract songbirds and hummingbirds to your landscape. Hummingbird gardens are another way to attract these feathered creatures. Plants that provide a food source or shelter for birds are best for a bird garden.

Tube Flower

The tube flower or skyrocket from the verbena family, Clerodendrum indicum, is a perennial that attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. It grows 6 to 9 feet high with 6-to-8 inch leaves. White, tubular flowers grow in 2-foot clusters and fruits are ½ inch dark blue drupes. Grow in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, moist soil. Propagate via seed, cuttings or suckers in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11.

Pineapple Sage

The pineapple sage from the mint family, Salvia elegans, is a fragrant, easy-to-grow perennial that is fast growing. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves are fuzzy, 2 to 4 inches long and smell like pineapple. Flowers are red, 1 to 2 inches long and tubular. The entire plant grows 2 to 3 feet wide and 3 to 5 feet high. Grow in full sun and water regularly. Propagate via seed or cuttings in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Blackgum

The blackgum or tupelo from the tupelo family, Nyssa sylvatica, is a tree that attracts songbirds. It will get 60 to 80 feet high with 2-to-5 inch green leaves. It has a straight form and a narrow crown. Grow in full sun or partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. Propagate via seed in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Golden Dewdrop

The golden dewdrop or pigeon berry from the verbena family, Duranta erecta, is a fast-growing shrub that attracts songbirds and butterflies. It can get 18 feet high and 18 feet wide with 1-to-3 inch leaves and 6-inch flower clusters. Blooms are tubular and purple, blue or violet. Grow in full sun or partial shade with regular watering. Propagate via seed, layering or cuttings in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Rabbiteye Blueberry

The rabbiteye blueberry from the heath family, Vaccinium ashei, is an evergreen shrub that attracts songbirds. It grows 12 feet high with pink, bell-shaped flowers and deciduous leaves. Berries are blue and provide food for birds. Grow in 4.2 to 5.5 pH soil with sun or shade. Propagate via division in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9.